Mario Masellis named Canadian Produce Person of the Year
TORONTO — The Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s 2023 Convention and Trade Show concluded April 27 with its annual banquet at which The Packer’s Executive Vice President of Produce Matt Morgan presented the Canadian Produce Person of the Year award to Mario Masellis, vice president of sales and marketing for Catania Worldwide and CPMA chair.
Walt Breeden, Oppy’s former vice president of Canadian sales, played late-night talk show host at the event sponsored by Oppy.
Each year, The Packer calls for nominations for the prestigious award. This year, Masellis far and away received the most nods from industry colleagues and peers.
Members of the Canadian produce industry spoke of Masellis’ “dedication to produce, education and raising consumer awareness on the benefits of produce consumption.”
They also had this to say:
“He has the interests of the industry at the forefront of his actions.”
“He is a pillar of the industry and committed to the CPMA.”
“He has done a great job as chair of CPMA this year.”
“He deserves to be Canadian Produce Person of the Year.”
Masellis has held many different roles in the supply chain. His first exposure was watching his father and uncles work in his family’s supermarket. After working at various levels of his family-owned business, he went on to trading nonfood commodities on the world market.
At the time, he says working in the produce industry was the furthest thing from his mind.
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While at the University of Toronto, his studies in political science and economics sparked a passion for international politics and trade. He recalls competing in the 1991 World University Debating Championships and being involved in the students’ working group to help frame the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Working with students from the U.S. and Mexico taught him that the movement of goods and services was and continues to be complex. He says he learned that cooperation among people and government is tremendously challenging, but equally rewarding.
During his first full-time job with a commodity trading company, he was once again working with produce.
When customers in Eastern Europe were desperately seeking oranges, he found clementines during a trip to Italy and had the idea to sell them to companies in the Ontario Food Terminal.
His passion for produce was reignited.
Twenty-eight years later, he is still trading produce. He found his home at Catania Worldwide 18 years ago — working his way from seller to buyer, and now vice president of sales for Canada.
Masellis says his true passion is people. Cultivating relationships within the Catania Worldwide team and with growers, packers and shippers from around the world.
Related: Retailers discuss trends, challenges, opportunities at CPMA 2023
